Eight recruits graduate police training in Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat’s police chief Alan Murphy appreciates the history of the Southern Alberta Light Horse building to host the ceremony making it memorable for the recruits.

“The big thing for the recruits, they get their badges and they get their certificates for the program. So it’s a big deal,” Murphy told CHAT News Friday afternoon.

“It’s something that they’re never going to forget in their lives and nor should they. I still remember when this was my day as a constable,” he added.

“It’s amazing.”

The graduating members were able to march and celebrate, after completing intense training.

This is something experienced by Constable Jared Stach, who also grew up in Medicine Hat.

He started the recruitment process two years ago, initially deferred but honoured to be accepted into the auxiliary program.

“I spent some time as an auxiliary with Medicine Hat Police Service for about a year, and then in about April of last year, I put in my application again and was accepted and started my training in January of this year,” Stach told CHAT News Friday afternoon.

Stach said being able to endure the training and make it to the ceremony and earn his badge means a lot.

“We’ve worked, all of us worked hard for the last six months. I think it’s awesome just to be able to stand with all the guys, we’ve been through thick and thin with over these last six months,” Stach said.

“Stand in front of our families who have supported us through that and be able to kind of be recognized for what we’ve done throughout these last six months. So it feels good.”

Stach adds that knowing he had seven other guys that had his back the whole time that he could laugh with, and share their frustrations with helped build a family like atmosphere that was fantastic.

“Becoming a police officer, there’s a lot to it. I know we can all think back to our days of getting pepper sprayed and tasered and just the nerves that came with that and kind of the pain,” Stach said.

“It’s one thing that you got to endure and get through if you want to make it. Lots of laughs, lots of stress with kind of the workload that they put on you, but it’s all for a good reason. And if you look back on that, it’s really awesome.”

The Medicine Hat Police Services still has two vacancies, with a third by the fall and will be filling their next recruit class for January.

“We recruit when we have vacancies to fill and so we already know we’ll have a few for next year and we’ll likely be partnered with Blood Tribe again for next year,” Murphy said.

“Great day as part of our 125th anniversary to have four new Medicine Hat police officers hitting the streets right away,” he added.

“Very exciting.”

by Jesse Gill

Eight recruits graduate police training in Medicine Hat

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